Page 112 of Forever Wild
ATTA GIRL
EVERLY
The final road game for the Wildcats is on Saturday, only a few hours away. Bridget and Jade are both going, so in a last-minute decision, I decide to make the trip to watch the team. To see Tyler, of course.
“Does he know you’re here?” Jade asks as the three of us settle into our seats.
“No,” I say immediately then realize she means Tyler and not Jack. “I mean, yes. I texted him earlier.”
“It’s nice that you’re so supportive of your brother.” She stares at me like she’s trying to see into my soul.
“Yeah. I’m really proud of him.” I squirm a little. The guys are warming up. It’s not as exciting when they’re the away team, but Jack looks as sexy as always. I flush as I watch him. He mouths, “Atta boy,” to someone and all I can think about is him praising meas I got myself off.
“So are you seeing anyone?” Jade asks.
I laugh quietly. It seems like an odd question. Jade and I are friends, but she doesn’t usually grill me out of nowhere.
“Nothing serious,” I say noncommittally. My pulse picks up and I keep my stare on the ice instead of Jade. My flee instincts kick in to get out of this conversation. “Does anyone want anything from the concession stand?”
“Oh my god. I know you and Jack are fucking,” she says finally.
“What?” The blood drains from my face.
“Relax. I haven’t told anyone.”
“How did you know?” I look past her to Bridget who holds up her hands.
“I didn’t say a word,” she swears.
“She didn’t,” Jade confirms. “I’m just unusually observant. Plus, the writing is slow lately so I have to entertain myself somehow. You two have been acting weird around each other since summer break. Nice. Polite. It’s odd.”
Jade is a writer. She’s working on her first book, which she has been very tight-lipped about. “What’s going on with the book?”
“Uh-uh.” She shakes her head. “We’re still talking about you and Mr. Captain.”
“We aren’t fucking,” I say quietly. “Not exactly.”
“Interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?”
“The guys have been talking about his stats this season. They think it’s because he’s not dating anyone for once, but I was banking on the opposite. He’s found someone he’s serious about.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I look between my friends for answers. I’m not sure which part of that I find more confusing. The idea the guys thinkJack is playing well because he’s celibate or that Jade thinks we’re “serious.”
The starting players are taking the ice and Jack heads to the middle for the puck drop.
The crowd around us is noisy, forcing Bridget to lean in as she says, “There’s a theory going around that he’s focused and locked-in because he’s keeping his dick in his pants. It’s not just the guys. Some reporter mentioned it after the last game too.”
Laughter spills out of me but trickles off. “I mean technically they could be right. We aren’t having sex.”
“Really?” Jade asks, surprise lifting both brows. She hums. “Maybe the theory isn’t bullshit. Unfortunately for Declan, I’m not sure I have the willpower to test it.”
I focus on Jack on the ice. He leans forward, stick across his thighs as he waits. He looks so damn good. We aren’t having sex, but my sex drive is working overtime.
“How have you not had sex?” Bridget asks. Jade stares too with rapt interest.
“I don’t know. It hasn’t been going on that long and I’ve been away.” I shrug. “We just haven’t.” Hopefully tonight that changes.
